Insider Tips
Things to know about safety, money, ATM, internet, doctor, laundry, sand flies and other peculiarities
Insider Travel Tips for Isla Holbox
If you are traveling to Holbox or even Mexico for the first time, there are a few things you should definitely pay attention to. It starts with simple questions like whether Holbox is safe, whether you can pay with a credit card, and which Holbox ATM you can use to get cash. What kind of power adapter you need and where you can get medication or medical treatment if necessary. You may also want to know how well the internet works, if there are a lot of mosquitoes or sand flies, and where to do your laundry in Holbox. With our insider tips, your Holbox vacation will definitely be easier and more carefree.
By the way: If you have had a special experience in Holbox that you would like to share with others, please write to us here. We will be happy to add your personal tip to the list.
Is Holbox Dangerous?
Mexico does not have the best reputation when it comes to safety, and in some places this is justified. Isla Holbox is considered very safe, so there is no need to worry. You can move around freely and safely at any time of the day or night. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to keep an eye on your belongings, as an increase in tourism is always accompanied by an upsurge in petty crime.
Tourists also don’t have to worry about crocodiles. In fact, there are crocodiles in Holbox because the island is still a well-preserved nature reserve. However, they prefer the fish-rich lagoons around the island or the mangroves along the coast near the mainland at Chiquilá and Yalahau. On a boat trip to the 3 islands or a guided kayak tour, you may be lucky enough to see them from a safe distance.
Money and Currency
The currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso, abbreviated MXN. As of February 2025, 1 USD = 20.58 MXN and 100 MXN = 4.86 USD, 1 CAD = 14.40 MXN and 100 MXN = 6.94 CAD, 1 GBP = 25.73 MXN and 100 MXN = 3.89 GBP. Banknotes are mainly used for everyday cash transactions. The most common bills are 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 pesos, which are relatively small amounts when converted to dollars or pounds, meaning that you will receive a large number of banknotes when you change money.
Although there is a 1,000 peso bill, it is not very common in everyday life, and even with a 500 peso bill, it is sometimes difficult to pay because there is often not enough change. It is always a good idea to carry some smaller bills. Coins are available in 1, 2, 5 and 10 pesos, the even smaller centavos are hard to come by.
Currently, there are two versions of almost every peso note in circulation. The older banknotes are clearly worn and more paper-like, while the newer ones are somewhat lighter and have a slightly plastic feel. However, this is nothing to worry about. Both are accepted everywhere.
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US dollars are often accepted in tourist areas of Mexico. However, they are not recommended as using them is much more expensive. If you have some USD with you, it is not a bad idea to take it with you to Mexico as a reserve.
Paying by credit card in Holbox is no problem in most shops and restaurants and is generally a very good choice. However, this is not possible everywhere on the island, so you will definitely need cash in Holbox. If your home bank offers fair conditions, bring cash.
Otherwise, you can change dollars or pounds for Mexican pesos at any currency exchange, bank or ATM. The cheapest way is to withdraw pesos from an ATM, which usually works well with a major credit card such as VISA, Mastercard or similar. You will pay a little more at currency exchanges and banks due to higher fees and poorer exchange rates.
At present, Maestro or other debit cards are the cheapest way to make withdrawals, as many credit cards also charge high processing and withdrawal fees after your payment.
There are currently only two ATMs in Holbox where you can get Mexican pesos. One ATM is located in the main square in the police station (Alcaldia) on the second floor where you can only withdraw money with a credit card.
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The second Holbox ATM for Mexican pesos is located at the CI Banco bank on the main street Calle Tiburón Ballena, about halfway between the port and the main square. The ATM is in the back of the building and also accepts debit cards.
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Both ATMs are replenished irregularly, so they can be empty for hours. Long lines often form when they are refilled. All other Holbox ATMs are either permanently out of order or only give US dollars with extremely high fees.
Beware of the markup trap: When withdrawing Mexican pesos from an ATM with a debit or credit card, you will be asked a series of questions, including whether you want an invoice or agree to the commission. But the most important question comes at the end, when you are asked if you agree to the conversion to dollars or pounds. You should always decline (“Declinar”). Otherwise, the ATM will convert the peso amount into dollars or pounds for you, with a high surcharge of 5 – 6.5%. You are always better off declining the conversion, as your own bank will charge much lower exchange fees. Don’t worry, the money will still come out of the ATM.
Alternatively, there is an exchange office near the main square, but the fees and exchange rate are less favorable.
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Tip: If you arrive in Mexico without pesos and want to go directly to Holbox, we recommend that you withdraw cash from an ATM at the airport in Cancun as soon as you arrive.
Tipping
In Mexico, it is customary to tip 10-20% in restaurants and bars. The tip is an important part of the waiter’s income, as the basic salary is very low.
Tip: Sometimes the tip is included in the bill, which is why you should always check the bill first to avoid tipping twice. The tip is at the bottom of the bill under “Propina sugerida” and means “suggested tip”. There is no obligation to pay exactly this amount, you can give more or less.
It is best to give a small tip of 10-20 MXN to porters or service staff. Tipping taxi drivers is not common.
Pharmacy, Dentist, Doctor, Hospital
In the unfortunate event that you need medical attention while on vacation in Holbox, there are limited options on the island. If it’s just a minor problem like an upset stomach or a sunburn, it’s usually a good idea to try one of the many pharmacies first.
Holbox pharmacies
The largest pharmacy is Farmacia De Similares, located near the main square on Calle Porfirio Díaz. Not far from there, on Avenida Damero, is Farmacia Novedades Jessy, which is also recommended. Pepe’s Farmacia opposite the shopping center offers slightly better advice. As in many places in Mexico, there are other pharmacies that are mainly interested in selling expensive drugs to tourists that require a prescription in their home country but are available over the counter here.
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Dentist in Holbox
For dental care there is a dentist in Holbox, the SAK CHE’EJ CLÍNICA, located on Calle Esmedregal near the main square.
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Doctor and Holbox hospital
If you need a doctor in Holbox, you have two options: The first is the public hospital, the Centro de Salud Isla Holbox. This is a small and very basic hospital. However, for minor injuries such as cuts or similar, the care there is sufficient. Depending on how busy it is, you may have to wait a while and pay in cash. The costs are low and if you get a bill, you can submit it to your health insurance at home for reimbursement.
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The second option is the medical center Unidad Medica UMED. It is also located on Calle Tiburon Ballena, a little closer to the main square. The hours are rather irregular and the facilities are very simple.
Tip: In general, the availability of doctors in Holbox changes frequently, so you should check with the hotel first.
Serious illnesses and injuries cannot be treated on Holbox Island. In this case you will have to travel to one of the major tourist areas in Cancun or Playa del Carmen where there is a high density of doctors and hospitals. International health insurance may be worthwhile here, as prices are significantly higher and treatment or a necessary hospital stay must be paid for immediately.
Internet and Wi-Fi
Internet is widely available and used in Mexico, so there is free Wi-Fi in almost all accommodations and many restaurants. However, the availability and quality of internet in Holbox is extremely poor. It is often only good enough for a few messages or social media. Normal surfing requires a lot of patience, and if you want to make a simple voice call via WhatsApp or Skype, for example, you will quickly reach the limits.
A local prepaid SIM card is a little better, but not really fast. See the next tip on phones for more information. Another way to use mobile Internet in Mexico is to get a plan that includes data and calls to Mexico, like T-Mobile offers.
At least some accommodations and restaurants now have internet access via Starlink, which works much better. Good internet in Holbox via Starlink is available at Hotel Para Ti, Naj Casa Holbox, Casa Las Tortugas or Hotel Mawimbi.
Tip: If you ever need faster internet and your accommodation doesn’t offer it, try Café Another Clandestino, where it’s much better.
Extra tip: Download offline maps for Google Maps or another mapping service at home before you leave so you can navigate without an Internet connection.
Telephone
Most major carriers offer cheap or even free roaming in Mexico. But they also have older plans with very expensive roaming rates. In this case, you should ask for a cheaper plan.
In Mexico, WhatsApp is generally used much more than a regular phone, and Facebook and its Messenger are also very popular. Almost any hotel, store or service in Mexico can be reached on WhatsApp, which is very convenient.
Tip: If you plan to use the phone and Internet a lot in Mexico, it is recommended that you buy a local prepaid SIM card. They are very cheap and easy to set up. The Móvil Shop on Calle Tiburón Ballena near the main square sells SIM cards for 100 MXN (5 USD / 7 CAD / 4 GBP). Voice minutes (for calls in Mexico) and data packages for mobile Internet access are available for 50 MXN (2.50 USD / 3.50 CAD / 2 GBP) for 500 MB and 7 days, or 100 MXN (5 USD / 7 CAD / 4 GBP) for 1.6 GB and 15 days. The store staff will be happy to help you set up your phone. SIM cards are also available at the Innovateh Celulares y Accesorios store on Calle Esmedregal.
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Electricity
Electricity in Mexico is alternating current at 120 volts and 60 hertz. Power plugs and sockets are Type A and Type B, the same as in the United States. If you are coming from the U.S., you will not need an adapter, but it does not hurt to bring a 3-pin to 2-pin prong adapter in case Type B outlets are not available.
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The power supply on Isla Holbox is more or less stable. Especially in the evenings and at night there are on average 1-2 times a week power outages, which often last only a few minutes, but sometimes several hours. This can affect the whole island or just a part of the grid. If you are sitting in a restaurant during such a blackout, the tables are decorated with candles or table lamps, which can be quite romantic. Less fun is when the Wi-Fi router in the room goes down or the refrigerator defrosts.
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Water Supply and Drinking Water
Tap water in Holbox is not drinking water and should not be consumed. However, it is safe to use for personal hygiene and brushing teeth. Sometimes it happens that the water supply in Holbox fails completely for a few hours. This is due to the fact that the island is supplied by a water pipe from the mainland and this causes problems from time to time, especially after heavy storms.
Tip: Many hotels and accommodations have chilled water dispensers in common areas that are refilled on a more or less regular basis. It is best to buy a few small bottles of water at the supermarket and refill them from the water cooler more often.
Sand Flies and Mosquitoes
There are always mosquitoes and sand flies in Holbox, as the island has long been known for. While they are tolerable in downtown and surrounding areas during the dry season, the little beasts become a real pain further away from the center and especially in the rainy season from June to October. Mosquitoes are most active and annoying in the early morning hours and shortly after sunset. But even during the day, the tiny, barely visible sand flies on the beach can be quite a nuisance.
Tip: Bring a good insect repellent or a tropical repellent such as Sawyer for skin and clothing for your trip to Holbox. You can buy repellents in local supermarkets, but it is more difficult to choose due to lack of knowledge about the different brands. If you already have some bug bites, a bug bite healer can help.
Seaweed and Sargazo
In many areas of Yucatán, especially along the Riviera Maya stretching south from Cancun, the increased occurrence of brown algae (Sargassum), known as Sargazo, has become a major problem. Due to its unique location in Yucatán, Holbox Island is largely protected from significant amounts of sargassum being washed ashore. Nevertheless, large quantities seaweed can still appear on Holbox beaches after storms. Most of the beach clubs and hotels near the beach remove the seaweed quite quickly, so you won’t be bothered for long.
Tip: Check out the RedSargazo Facebook page to see the current status of sargassum and seaweed in Holbox and other locations along the Riviera Maya.
Language
The language spoken in Mexico is Spanish. English is also widely spread on Isla Holbox and you can get by without Spanish. German and French are rarely spoken here, and Italian is used at most because of its similarity to Spanish and the many emigrants from Italy who have settled here.
Tip: Knowing a few words of Spanish is always an advantage, and if you want, you can take a course at the Holbox School of Spanish with local teacher Juliana. She offers private classes for individuals or small groups of up to 4 people at very reasonable prices, with a room available at El Hornito Argento restaurant. She recently started offering online courses for those who want to improve their Spanish at home.
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Laundries
During a longer stay in Holbox or an extensive round trip, you will need to do your laundry at some point. Some hotels in Holbox offer a laundry service, but you can also visit a laundry on your own. In both cases, it is better not to have your favorite and expensive clothes washed here, as the cleaning is not to the same standards as at home and things can go wrong.
Usually you will receive your clothes washed and dried, but not ironed, the next day or the day after. The price depends on the weight of the clothes. Depending on the quantity, a laundry service in Holbox costs about 150-300 MXN (7-15 USD / 10-20 CAD / 6-12 GBP).
A recommended laundry in Holbox is the relatively new Lavanderia Express on Calle Carito. One block away on the same street is the Patitas Club laundry, and two streets away is Lavandería lavamatica, where service and prices are similar.
Alcohol and Drugs
In Mexico, you must be 18 years of age to purchase and consume alcohol. There is a strict 0.0 blood alcohol limit for driving, and consumption of alcohol on public roads and in public places is officially prohibited.
One of the peculiarities of Mexico is that supermarkets are not allowed to sell alcohol after 5 p.m. on Sundays. The fridges are locked with chains. This may surprise some people because alcohol is still served and consumed in restaurants and bars.
The possession and use of drugs of any kind is illegal in Mexico, and even the smallest amounts can result in heavy fines and prison sentences. While the Mexican drug mafia is active in the major tourist centers and the police are trying to counteract this with a large presence, Holbox Island has fortunately been spared so far.
The government has repeatedly tried to legalize marijuana in recent years, but has so far failed due to divergent interests among the public, business and politics. At the end of June 2021, the Supreme Court declared the legal prohibition of cannabis use unconstitutional. Since then, it has been possible to obtain a license from the Ministry of Health to legally consume a small amount of marijuana. This has also increased pressure on Congress to finally pass a law to provide legal certainty, as consumers are currently operating in a gray area.
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Transfer to Chiquilá
Transfer options from Cancún to the ferry in Chiquilá for the crossing to Holbox
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